Where do I begin?

[Bellyfullasnot]

I have wanted to post for about a month but I either lack the time or I feel like I'm whining like a baby. The limo biz slowed down right after the holidays. I'm used to this but this is the first year that I'm not prepared for it. I have exhausted most of my savings and just borrowed money from both of my kids savings accounts to pay the Dec and Jan mortgage.
I'll pay it back but I feel like a dirtbag.

I'm feeling overwhelmed by my situation. It seems that everyday there is a new collector calling. I understand that they are just doing there job but some of the questions they ask push buttons. I can feel the tension and stress on my marriage and on my work relationships. I never thought i would feel anger or short changed over not getting a $35. airport run. I have never been a greedy person, but why do I have to watch drivers that have "real jobs" during the week or retirees work before me. I find myself ashamed that I feel this way. These coworkers are friends. I've never counted anybody elses money before in my life.

I love my family and I am grateful for all of our health. I know that there are families with worst situations. I'm pretty sure that this is a temporary situation. My wife finishes school in May and a second income will help a lot. I have applied to LIRR several times and haven't heard anything. I am probaly applying Mon for an overnight job @ UPS or some kind of retail stock thing.

I just needed to vent. My lifestyle of working nights and sleeping days hinders most social interactions with the real world. When most people are hanging, I have to work. When everybody is sleeping I'm awake. Thanks.

[RoseBlood]

I have wanted to post for about a month but I either lack the time or I feel like I'm whining like a baby. I have exhausted most of my savings and just borrowed money from both of my kids savings accounts to pay the Dec and Jan mortgage.
I'll pay it back but I feel like a dirtbag.

Don't worry about sounding like a whining baby, that's what this forum is for.
Please don't feel like a dirtbag for dipping into your children's savings account. Sometimes life takes a turn for the worst and you do what you have to get by. The fact that you even had a savings account for them proves you've always had their best interest at heart. The money you took went towards keeping a roof over their heads.
My mother had to cash all of my brother and myselfs savings bonds when my father was out of work. She doesn't feel guilty about it cause it put food on the table for her kids, so you shouldn't feel bad about it either.
You'll get through this and better times await you.

[Thebazile78]

If you're getting collections calls, that's horrible and I can empathize. When my parents were out of work during the last recession, I received a harassing phone call on my personal telephone line and was reduced to tears during the call.

But, if they're asking you bullying questions or talking to anyone who is not the primary account holder, they are in violation of section 806 of the Fair Credit Collections Act (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf) and you can tell them to fuck off. (Section 806 starts on page 9, but you might want to read the whole thing.)

The reason I was reduced to tears during the call was the collections agent (a) spoke to me, a then 16-year-old kid who was NOT the primary account holder (b) accused me of covering for my dad and (c) questioned my faith in God and what would God think about my covering for my dad. (I was both terrified of the collector and pissed at my father for this phone call. Dad had actually turned off the ringer on the house phone before this happened because the calls were coming so frequently. Fortunately for me, this call was never repeated because Dad got on the phone with the collections agency and had "words" with them, explicitly stating that they'd violated the Fair Credit Collections Act in their conversation with me.)

All three of these points are in violation of both sections 805(b) and 806 [805(b) covers speaking with someone other than the account holder, while section 806 covers abuse & harassment.]

[Bellyfullasnot]

Thank you for both of your replies. My biggest problem (other than the lack of work/money) is pride. I've always had great credit, but that's over. The collection calls don't intimidate me, but they do add to the stress. When a mortgage agent asked "what's the reason?", the only answer I had was that I have a reduced workload and a family of four. I almost felt like she wanted to hear a catostraphic story. Sorry, just broke.

[Thebazile78]

Thank you for both of your replies. My biggest problem (other than the lack of work/money) is pride. I've always had great credit, but that's over. The collection calls don't intimidate me, but they do add to the stress. When a mortgage agent asked "what's the reason?", the only answer I had was that I have a reduced workload and a family of four. I almost felt like she wanted to hear a catostraphic story. Sorry, just broke.

Look, when my dad was out of work, he and my mom were both in the midst of a messy divorce. That sucked.

The recession of the early '90s was the longest time he'd been out of work since he was first job-hunting out of school.

In order to afford groceries, he had to apply for food stamps and accept assistance from the local food bank to fill in staple goods.
In order to pay for things like gas, electricity and phone service, he took a job at Toys 'R' Us working in the stockroom. This is a man who's got an MBA, and there he was, stocking boxes with snotnosed teenagers at Toys 'R' Us.

Nothing taught me more about doing what you "must do" than those experiences. And nothing taught me more about how much my dad loved all 4 of us (my 2 brothers, my sister and I) than his being able to swallow his pride and take that stockroom job.

This is a really hard time to be short on money, so pride tends to help us get through the rest of the hardships that come with being short. Especially if you're the primary earner. It hurts when you can't do for your family the way you feel that you should.

[Gvac]

Hang in there buddy. I know it doesn't help you pay your bills, but a lot of people are in the same boat as you.

Whatever happens, you can't beat yourself up. You're doing the best you can to take care of your family. I know it gets depressing when you can barely make ends meet, but try to remember that you're still living better than 90% of the people in this world.

All the best.

[joethebartender]

I've been doing a lot of driving too and it's a tough racket. Keep your head up. Try to pull off some side jobs if you can. (maybe on returns from the airport) Ask around at baggage claims especially at international. Keep plugging man.

It could be worse, (you could be hawking Chinese cell phones like the jerk in post #7):tongue:.

[Bellyfullasnot]

I've been doing a lot of driving too and it's a tough racket. Keep your head up. Try to pull off some side jobs if you can. (maybe on returns from the airport) Ask around at baggage claims especially at international. Keep plugging man.

It could be worse, (you could be hawking Chinese cell phones like the jerk in post #7):tongue:.

Side jobs with the limo are off limits. The cars I drive have the fleet monitor GPS system. I still laugh when I hear about the "cowboy" days from the older guys. I guess if your a retired (or active) cop, or if you'll take the risk with the TLC. A lot of money can be made.

Thanks for everybodies replies. I'm still broke but a few more hours of sleep and some sun shine helps the attitude.